Daily devotion – Brought near to God!
BROUGHT NEAR
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” — Ephesians 2:13
There are two wonderful words in this verse that describe the difference Jesus Christ makes in a person’s life: “But now.”
Before Christ, we were far off. We were separated from God, cut off from Christ, without hope and without God in the world. We were spiritually lost and unable to rescue ourselves.
But now!
Everything changed when Jesus Christ came into our lives. Those who were once far away have been “brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Paul continues in Ephesians 2:19:
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”
What a transformation! Once we were strangers and foreigners, but now, through Christ, we are members of God’s household. Once we were separated from God, but now we have been brought near to Him.
The word reconciliation is often used in our society, but the Bible gives it a far greater meaning. Reconciliation speaks of the restoration of a relationship that has been broken. Sin created a great separation between God and humanity, but God Himself provided the way back to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
And notice what Paul says:
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.” — Ephesians 2:14
There was a division between Jew and Gentile, but Christ came to make peace. There was an even greater division between sinners and a holy God, and Christ came to reconcile us to God through His cross.
Think of the man at the pool of Bethesda. He had been sick for thirty-eight years and was completely helpless. When Jesus saw him, He asked, “Wilt thou be made whole?” The man could not help himself, but Jesus could!
“Jesus said unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” — John 5:8
That same Jesus came for you and me!
We were far off, but now we are near.
We were strangers, but now we belong.
We were without hope, but now we have hope.
We were separated from God, but now we have been reconciled to Him.
And how did this happen?
“By the blood of Christ.”
Never take that wonderful truth for granted. The greatest event that has ever happened in your life is that through Jesus Christ, you have been brought near to God.
So today, stop and thank Him. You are not where you once were.
But now—you are in Christ!